Pelvic traction belt



May 12, S. VARCO PELVIC TRACTION BELT Filed Sept. 11, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. A $6 .llll! INVENTOR; Samuel Varco,

May 12, 1953 s. VARCO FELVIC TRACTION BELT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 11, 1951 INVENTOR.

Jamaal Varco,

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,638,091 PELVIC TRACTION BELT Samuel Varco, Buffalo, N. Y. Application September 11, 1951, Serial No. 246,019

9 Claims. I

This invention relates to a pelvic traction belt adapted to be placed around the waist and over the crests of the hip bones, and which is provided with extension straps adapted to be connected to a spreader and weights, so that a patient suffering from an injury to the lower vertebrae or pelvis may be locally immobilized and placed under traction, but otherwise will be free to move his limbs and body.

Buck's extension, which has been widely used with reference to the accompanying drawings, an s embodiment of the invention, a practical technique for its use, and a summation of the results which have been obtained in its application to a substantial number of patients.

In the drawings: a

Fig. l is a side elevation of a patient reposing on a hospital bed, to whom the subject belt has been applied;

' Fig. 2 is an end view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a standard or frame, suitable for applying traction to the belt; v

Fig. l is an exterior plan of the belt, with a portion of one traction band broken away;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary interior plan of the belt; and i Fig. 6 is a perspective of a spreader to which the traction bands and weights are connected.

As bestshown in Figs. 4 and 5, the traction belt comprises an abdominal band, generally designated by the reference numeral l I, having an exterior surface I2 which may be of any suitable fabric, such as finely woven cotton. The clothis cut with opposed upper and lower curved edges l3 and I4 which are generally convex at the ends l5 and Hi and central back portion l1 and are somewhat concave at the lateral or hip bone por tions l8 and" [9. This formation facilitates smooth fitting to the contour of thebody when the belt is app1ied. It is contemplated that the length of the belt may be varied, so that one may be selected for the proportions of the patient, and that the width of thebelt may be such as to overlie the crest of the ilium and the lower vertebrae. The illustrated belt has been copied from one suitable for a patient having a girth of about forty inches, and its width ranges from about six inches to about five and one-half inches. These are satisfactory widths for the majority of cases where application of the belt is indicated.

I The fabric l2 isnotched at the lateral regions l8 and 19, from the lower edge l4 approximate- 1 half way toward the upper edge l3, to provide upwardly pointed triangular recesses in which are sewed elastic inserts or darts 2|. Experience has shown that such darts have some ad .vantages over inserts of generally trapezoidal form which extend from edge to edge, although the latter have been used with satisfactory results. The ends of the band are fitted with buckles and tie straps, by means of which the belt may be drawn snugly around the body. Those on the right hand side IS comprise a pair of straps 22 of Webbing, sewed to the edge of the belt, and'over which may be slipped conventional over-and-under buckles 23L Between them, on a short loop 24 sewed to the belt, is a complementary hook 25. The left hand side [5 is provided with a pair of hooks 26 and a strap 21, for co-' operation with the securing means on the right hand side, as will be obvious from inspection.

It will be noted that the positions of the hooks and buckles are alternated or staggered, so that, in applying the belt, a pull is exerted in each direction, that is, toward the right, and also the left. This has beenfound helpful in fitting the beltwith uniform compression of the body. It is also to be noted that the hooks and straps on the left hand side l5 are set back from the extreme end, to provide a shield 28 which will underlie the right hand end l6, and thus preclude direct contact of the metal parts of the fasteners with the body. The straps 22 and 21, and the shield 28, are of such length-say four to eight inches-that a reasonable range of adjustment is provided, making it unnecessary to have a custom built belt for each patient. The free ends of the straps may be tucked into loops formed by sewing a piece of tape 29 along one end of the belt.

i The band it is reinforced at the ends. 15 and l 6 by pieces of webbing 3|, extending from edge to edge, and sewnalong the edges in the manner indicated by the dotted lines. Two additional reinforcing webs 32 are sewn to the back portion H, and these are spaced sufficiently so as not to bear directly against the lumbar vertebrae. Additional strips of webbing are sewed to the outer 55 face of the band H, to provide means for apply ing tractive force. These include normally disposed or transverse strips 35 and 36, located at the left and right adjacent the bases of the elastic inserts 2|, and on the abdominal side, which are reversely bent at the bottom edge [4 to extend angularly as tension transmitting strips or portions 37 and 333 toward the ends of the belt, and to terminate close to the upper ends of the strips 3 I. The strips 31 and 38 are sewed to the fabric I2 at their upper portions, as indicated by thedotted lines, butthey preferably are not sewed throughout the lower portions 39 and 4|. Rather, they 5W1] fll 00min IOUQQIIQQQ, as is illustrated by m e bowing of these ortions in mi) i 9 Yh gader 56, passes over the pulley i9 and is tied m e a as ill b readily understood. 1e wwt The patient P is me; r belt with an eriiina red f0 oi mount int mm a i mm IHQQEUI'Q, in hip bones. a

W5 H 61 of the crests of t average value. Reports received until now reveal that as little as twelve, and as many as thirty, pounds have been used, depending upon the size of the patient and the condition treated.

The invention is indicated in the treatment of substantially all low back skeletal injuries, as well as for sprains inthe soft tissue and joints. Herniation of the nucleus pulposum' in the lumbar inter-vertebral spaces--the so-called slipped disc-has been treated with gratifying results. Minor fractures of the lumbar processes, and of the sacral and iliac bones, also respond to the present treatment. The tractive pull decreases nerve pressure and relaxes muscle spasm,. and the injured region is adequately immobilized. Another application is as adjunctive treatment for low back pain such as occurs in spondylolisthesis; l

An analysis of the cases which have been treatedto date shows that the invention has a numberof desirable advantages, when contrasted to previous procedures applied to the same conditions. A completely immobilized patient rarely retains a good mental outlook or tone for a substantial length of time, and he is, of course, a problem for the attending physicians and the nursing staff. As indicated in Fig. 1, the pres ent belt imposes only local immobilization. The patient may raise and bend his legs and body-- he may roll, or be rolled, from side to side. This relative freedom, coupled with the relief from pain inherent in tractive treatment, aids greatly in preserving the patients morale and general comfort, and of course it greatly simplifies proper nursing care.

Such complications as dermatitis, swelling of the ankles or knee joints, and thrombophlebitis, which heretofore have been experienced with traction imposed by adhesive tape applied to the skin, are fully avoided. The only diiliculty which may be encountered is unpleasant pressure on the crest of the ilium, or, with an overly active patient, a similar pressure on the outer surface of the thigh. These complaints, when they occurred, were readily disposed of by inserting small pads of sponge rubber, felt, or the line, between the belt and the afiiicted area, whereupon the patient was restored to his attitude of tolerance.

One significant advantage of thepresent invention is in its ability to enable the patient to be restored to ambulation in a comparatively short period of time. It willbe recalled that in techniques requiring the knees to bev flexed, even for such short periods of time as a few days or a week, there is some atrophy and stiifening or v the thigh muscles known as the quadriceps group. This requires post-operative treatment by way of massage to restore the muscles to a satisfactory condition, and requires that the patient shall be hospitalized and disabled for a much longer period of tim than otherwise would be required. This period of prolonged disability is eliminated by the present invention, inasmuch as the patient is free at all times to exercise his limbs.

While the invention has been described with respect to a single embodiment, it will, ofcourse, be understood that the belt may be modified in various details without departure from its basic principles. It is therefore intended that the invention be accorded a scope consistent with that expressed in the following claims.

I claim: 1. A pelvic traction belt for the treatment of low back injuries in human beings, comprising an abdominal band adapted to encircle the waist of a patient, said band having end portions, adjustable securing means connected to the band at said end portions, said band being of such to said tension transmitting straps at the lower edge of the belt, said strips converging to common apiece and being of such length as to 10-.

cate said apices' below the lower outer aspects of the thighs of the patients, extension strips connected to each of said traction apices, and means connecting said extension strips. inspaced rela tion for connecting the belt tion. 1

2. A pelvic traction beltior the treatment, of low back injuries in human beings comprising an abdominal band formed with curved upper andlower edges and free ends adapted to be con nected to each other over the abdomen of a patient, tapered yieldableinserts in the band at the lateral portions thereof and extending from the lower edge toward the upper edge, substantially normally disposed transvers tension transmitting straps secured to the belt in spaced relation at said lateral portions thereby to be positionable in front and back of; the pelvic crests, angularly disposed tension transmitting straps extending from the normallydisposed back straps and extending from the lower edge of the band upwardly toward the back thereof, adjustable traction straps connected to said tension transmitting straps at the lower edge of the belt and converging on each side of the belt to apices positionable below the lower aspect oi the thighs, and exten sion straps connected to the traction straps at said apices. l

3. A pelvic traction belt as set forth in claim 2, wherein there are additional. angularly dis posed tension transmitting straps secured to the band and extending from the bottom; edge of the band and from the front normally disposed transverse tension straps, forwardly toward the upper edge, said additional straps being connected to said traction straps. v

4. A pelvic belt asset forth in claim 3,"to gether with transverse reinforcing strips secured to the back of the band at the region thereof positionable adjacent the lumbar vertebrae.

5. A pelvic traction belt for the treatment of low back injuries in human beings, comprising an abdominal band formed with upper and. lower edges and free ends adapted to be secured to each other over the abdomen of a patient, said belt being of such width as to overlie and extend below the pelvic crests and sacral region, said band having lateral regions adapted toloverlie and bridge the crests, yieldable inserts in said band at said lateral regions and extending from the lower edge of the band to at least substantial- 1y half way to the upper edge, pairs of tension to a source of, tractransmitting straps secured to the band on either side of the basesof said inserts, one strap of each rearmost pair extending angularly toward the upper edge of the band to the lumbar region thereof, one strap of each foremost pair extending angularly toward the upper edge and the adaesaccr 7, jacent tree end, looseloops" in said angularly exttending tension transmitting straps, traction straps connected to said pairs of tension straps at the loop portions thereof, said traction straps converging to common apices positionable below the lower outer aspects of the thighs, and extension straps connected tothe traction straps at said apiece and being of such lengthas to project beyond the feet when the legs are straight.

6, A pelvic traction belt for the treatment of low back injuries in human beings, comprising an abdominal band having curved edges and free ends adapted to overlap each other over the: abdomen of a patient, hooks and buckle straps secured to and adjacent said ends whereby the band may be drawn tightly around the waist with one end overlapping the other to provide a; protecti-v'e shield, said band being of such width as to-overlie and extend below the pelvic crests and lumbar region, tapered yieldable inserts in said band at the lateral portions thereof and extending upwardly f1 the bottom edge into the body of the band, said inserts being so positioned with respect to the back of the band as to be positionable over the pelvic crests, pairs of trans-- tion straps connected to the band in spaced re-- lation' at the lateral portions thereof so to be positionable at the fronts-rid back of said crests, the traction straps on each side converging to apices positionable adjacent the lower outer aspect of the thigh, extension straps connected to the traction straps at their apiccs an being of such length as to project beyond the feet of the patient when the legs are straight, and tension transmitting straps connected to band and to the traction straps to transmit a pullexerted on said traction to the regions of the body above the pelvic crests and the lowermost vertebrae.

'7. A pelvic traction belt assembly for the treatment of low back injuries in human beings, comprising a fabric abdominal band adapted to be positioned around. the waist of a patient and formed with curved edges to substantially conform the band to the contour of the body, said band being cut away along the bottom edge-at the lateral portions thereof, elastic inserts sewn inthe. band at the cut-away are-as, tension transmitting strips sewn tothe band and extending from the upper edge thereof diagonally from the back to the lower edge adjacent the rear ends of the inserts, other tension transmitting strips sewn to the band transversely thereof on either side of the inserts, pairs of traction straps adjustably connected to the tension transmitting strips, said traction straps converging to apices on either side which are positionable adjacent the lower thigh of the patient, extension strapsconnected to the: traction straps at their apiece: and being of such length to project beyond the feat of the patient, and a spreader bar provided with means for adjustably securing the ends of the extension straps and with means for attaching traction weig ts thereto, said securing means being spaced a suflicient distance that tractive eilcrt applied to the bar will be applied to the pelvic and lumbar regions.

8. A pelvic traction belt -tor the treatment of low back injuries in human beings, comprising a substantially non-elastic fabric band adapted to be positioned around the waist of a patient,

said band: having curved edgesctoenable said band to conform. substantially to the contour of the body, said bandbeing. of such width as to overlie and extend below the pelvic crests andlower vertebrae, tie strings and buckles at the ends of the band for securing the same to the body, reinforcing strips sewn to the band between the edges at the end portions, pairs of tension transmitting strips sewn across the band in spaced relaticnv at the lateral regions t erect, angularly disposed strips sewn to the band from the back upper edge tow the back strip of said pairs and from. the abdominal portions of the band to the front strip-ofsaid pairs, clasps connected to said strips at the junctions thereof at the lower edge of the'band, additional stripssewn to the band in spaced relation at the back thereof to be positionable on either side of the lower vertebrae, saicl band being notched inwardly from its lower edgeatfithe lateral regions, elastic inserts sewn to the band atthe notched lateral regions, traction straps connected to said clasps and converging to apices on either side of the band, ere tension straps connected to the traction straps at said apiece, and a facing of soft and non-irritating material sewn to the inner surface: of the hand.

9'. A pelvic-traction belt for the treatment of low back" injuries in human beings, comprising anabdominal band adapted to encircle the waist of' a patient, said band having secured thereto ties for tightening the band around the waist, said band being of such width as to overlie the pelvic crests and lower vertebrae and also to extend below the said pelvic crests, pairs oi traction straps connected to said band. at each the lateral portions thereof and being spaced the points of connection to lie directly in front and back. of the pelvic crests, a pair of tension transm-ittingstraps secured'to the band and extending angularlyirom the lower edge thereof toward the upper edge and toward the been of the band, the back strap of each pair of traction straps l: connected to one of said tension transmitting straps, each of said pairs of traction straps converging from theirpoints of connection to the band toward an apex which; when the band is applied, will be below the thigh oi the: patient, said pairs of traction straps having extension straps: connected thereto at their apices, said extension straps being of' such length that their ends will be below the foot of the patient when the legis straight, said ends being adapted to be connected in: spaced relation to a spreader bar.

SAIWUEL VARCO.

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Aug. 16, 1887 Number Number 

